USING PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS




TODAY'S AGENDA

  • Welcome
  • Why Use Primary Sources (Library of Congress webpage)
  • Teaching with Documents
  • Break
  • National Archives DocsTeach
  • Creation of original document based activity
  • Wrap-Up

As a result of today's session, participants will:

  • Discuss the value of using primary source documents in a high school social studies class
  • Explore the National Archives online document database;
  • Explore the National Archives DocsTeach database; and
  • Create an original document-based activity using DocsTeach



SESSION ACTIVITIES

Oftentimes the most commonly used resource in a classroom is the textbook. With primary source documents, you enhance the existing curriculum and give students in a social studies class insight into the implications of the content they are learning.
  • Access the poll and select the answer that best represents your use of primary sources in your lessons.
  • Read the article, Why Use Primary Sources, and then post a brief reflection (3-5 sentences) on the Padlet for this activity.
  • Explore the National Archives Teaching with Documents website (which is organized by historical eras):
    • Select at least one document you think will work well with your webquest.
    • Save the link so that you can include it on the TASK page you will develop in the next session.
  • Now, let's look at DocsTeach, which a database of document-based activities.
    • Select at least one activity you think will work well with your webquest.
    • Save the link so that you can include it on the TASK page you will develop in the next session.
  • For the remainder of the session, create your own DocsTeach activity using primary (or secondary) sources of your choosing -- you are not limited to the National Archives.
    • After you have created your activity, post the link in this session's discussion area.
    • Explore and critique at least one other participant's activity and post your comments beneath their link.

HAPPY CREATING!